3 Taiwanese fishermen to face DOJ hearing

MANILA, Philippines - Three Taiwanese fishermen will appear before the Department of Justice on Monday for the hearing on the homicide charges against eight members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused of killing a suspected Taiwanese poacher in Balintang Channel in Batanes last May 9.

Two STAR sources confirmed the information.

One of them said the fishermen might arrive over the weekend.

The eight facing homicide charges are commanding officer Arnold de la Cruz, Petty Officer 2 Richard Fernandez Corpuz, Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Reynold Aurello, and Seamen 1st Class Edrando Quiapo Aguila, Mhelvin Bendo, Andy Gibb Ronario Golfo, Sunny Galang Masangcay, and Henry Baco Solomon.

De la Cruz and Bendo are also facing charges of obstruction of justice, along with SN1 Marvin Ramirez and LTJG Martin Bernabe for allegedly submitting tampered evidence to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), including “spliced” video footage.

The four were also alleged to have given a false report on the number of bullets discharged during the shooting.

In its report, the NBI said the Coast Guard approached the fishing vessel, thinking it was poaching in Philippine waters.

The PCG personnel issued several warnings but were ignored, which led to a “cat and mouse” chase that lasted for about an hour.

The PCG men alleged that they started shooting the vessel because it tried to ram their patrol craft.

However, the NBI said the PCG failed to show indisputable evidence to prove its claim.

The report said the Taiwanese fishermen have also been “inconsistent” in their statements, making the PCG claim “not entirely implausible.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the investigating prosecutors sent the subpoena for the shipmates of slain fisherman Hong Shi Cheng through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office on Sept. 9.

Their presence is important for them to “subscribe and swear to their affidavits,” De Lima was quoted as saying.

Last month, the NBI filed criminal charges against 10 Coast Guard members.